Broccoli Crown Leek And Potato Colcannon Recipes

BROCCOLI CROWN, LEEK AND POTATO COLCANNON

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt generously. Meanwhile, cut away thick stems of broccoli crowns as close to the crown as possible, but leave crowns intact. Set aside stems for another purpose (such as pickled broccoli stems). When water comes to a boil drop in the broccoli crowns. Boil 5 minutes, flipping them over from time to time so they cook evenly. Using tongs, carefully transfer to a bowl of cold water, then drain thoroughly, place on a dish towel to drain more, then chop fine and set aside in a bowl.
• Add potatoes to the pot, turn down heat to medium-low and boil gently, partially covered, until potatoes are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain, return to pot and cover tightly. Let potatoes steam in the dry pot for 5 minutes or longer.
• Heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy skillet and add leeks. Cook, stirring often, until they begin to wilt, about 3 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue to cook, stirring, until very tender, about 3 to 5 more minutes. Remove from heat.
• Mash potatoes with a potato masher or in a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, or put through a food mill. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add finely chopped broccoli and beat together. Heat butter with 3/4 cup of the milk until butter melts and beat into mashed potatoes. Stir in leeks and mix until well blended. If desired, add the last 1/4 cup milk. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot.

CARROT, PARSNIP AND POTATO COLCANNON

Steps:

• Place potatoes, carrots, and parsnips in a saucepan and cover by an inch with water. Add salt to taste, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and cover partially. Simmer until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain, return to pot and cover pot tightly. Leave to steam in covered pot for 5 minutes. Peel potatoes.
• Meanwhile, heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy skillet and add leek. Cook, stirring often, until it begins to wilt, about 3 minutes. Add salt to taste and continue to cook, stirring, until very tender, 3 to 5 more minutes. Remove from heat.
• Mash vegetables with a potato masher or in a standing mixer fitted with the paddle, or put through a food mill. Combine milk and butter and heat until butter melts. Gradually add to purée, stirring or beating on low speed. Stir in leeks and mix until well blended. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Put through the fine or medium blade of a food mill, or press through a medium-mess strainer. Garnish if desired with dill or chervil. Serve hot.

DANDELION OR CHARD COLCANNON

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a saucepan and cover by an inch with water. Bring to a boil, add salt to taste, reduce heat to medium-low and cover partially. Simmer until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Drain, return to pot and cover pot tightly. Let steam in the dry pot for 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stem dandelion greens or chard, wash in 2 changes of water, and chop fine. You should have 5 to 6 cups chopped greens.
• Heat olive oil over medium heat in a heavy skillet and add leek and a generous pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until leek is tender but not browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add greens, a handful at a time, and stir until each addition has wilted enough to make room for more. When all greens have been added, turn heat to medium, add salt to taste, and stir over medium heat for 5 minutes, until greens are completely wilted and somewhat tender (dandelion greens will remain tough). Remove from heat.
• Mash potatoes with a potato masher or in a standing mixer fitted with the paddle. Heat 3/4 cup of the milk with butter until butter melts, and gradually add to potatoes. Add wilted greens and leeks and mix until well blended. If desired, add the last 1/4 cup milk. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

COLCANNON WITH CRISPY LEEKS

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine the potatoes with enough water to cover them by 2 inches and a large pinch of salt. Boil until tender enough to easily pierce with a fork, 15 to 25 minutes. Drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter, along with a drizzle of oil, then add leeks and a pinch of salt. Sauté over medium heat for 5 or so minutes. When the leeks are golden, spoon some out onto a plate to use for garnish.
• To the leeks in the pan, add the garlic cloves, and cook them for a minute until fragrant. Then, toss in the greens. Season with more salt and cook, tossing them, until the greens are wilted and very tender. If the pan looks dry, add a splash of water.
• Now add the potatoes to the skillet and mash them (so they're either smooth or chunky), and add some milk or vegetable broth, if you like, and a lot of butter. Taste, and add more salt and lots of pepper. Scatter on the fried leeks and more butter to melt in little pools across the top.
• Top with a fried egg or some smoked salmon, or serve a simple green salad on the side.

BROCCOLI, LEEK, AND POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Stir the bacon and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat until the bacon has turned golden brown and released its grease, about 7 minutes. Add the butter, leeks, onion, and celery. Cook and stir until the leeks have softened, about 7 minutes.
• Pour in the chicken stock, potatoes, herbes de Provence, coriander, fennel, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are just beginning to turn tender, about 8 minutes. Stir in the broccoli, and simmer 5 minutes. Add the milk, and continue simmering until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more.
• Pour the soup into a blender, filling the pitcher no more than halfway full. Hold down the lid of the blender with a folded kitchen towel, and carefully start the blender, using a few quick pulses to get the soup moving before leaving it on to puree. Puree in batches until smooth and pour into a clean pot. Alternately, you can use a stick blender and puree the soup right in the cooking pot. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper; sprinkle with chopped green onions to serve.

COLCANNON

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Peel and quarter the potatoes, and place in a medium saucepan; add enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes and return them to the saucepan. Mash them with a potato masher, or pass them through a ricer; cover the pan to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, in another saucepan, combine the cabbage, leek, milk, 2 tablespoons butter, and nutmeg; season with salt. Cover, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage and leek are soft but not browned, about 15 minutes. Stir into the potatoes.
• Spread the mixture in an 8-inch-square baking dish. Make a small well in the center, and place under the broiler until lightly browned on top, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from the broiler. Place the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the well. Serve immediately, spooning melted butter from the well onto each serving, if desired.